Blinker-equipped spectacles for bowlers



March 4, 1958 A. M. SPIEZIO BLINKER EQUIPPED SPECTACLES FOR- BOWIJERS,

Filed Oct. 5. 1955 IN VEN TOR Anthony M. Spiel/a United 6 P tent- The present invention relates to alpair of spectacles, generallyspeaking, and has more particular-reference to spectacles adapted to be worn by a bowler addressing the pins on his particular alley, said spectacles being unique and therefore structurally distinct in that they are equipped with suitably constructed blinkers or blinders arranged and serving to minimize the likelihood that the wearer will be either distracted or disconcerted by movements of bowlers on nearby alleys, that is, bowlers who are likewise in action when the wearer is making his ball delivery.

It is common knowledge that a great deal of time is needlessly utilized by bowlers under present prevailing practices. Those familiar with the procedures and general rules ofcourtesy and etiquette in bowling-alleys are aware that most league games take up considerable time while the bowlers wait for each other, even four or more alleys on either side of the alley which is in use at the moment. Even after waiting, one is liable to run down the approach to bowl at the same time a bowler on a nearby alley gets under action, with the result that he will be distracted, and hence may wind up with an inaccurate and poor delivery of the ball. On the other hand, if the bowler in question waits and watches everyone until he has a clear shot, this results in body tension, and here again, his throw may be either inaccurate or otherwise unsatisfactory.

It is almost universally the practice in bowling alleys, especially during the play of league games, for the bowlers to the immediate right and left of the given alley to wait for one another and to perform in rotation sothat, ordinarily speaking, the objections pointed to so far do not enter the picture. However, under such circumstances as permit bowlers some two or three alleys away to function as best they can, the fact remains that these disconcerting movements invaribly affect the bowlers, particularly those who are given to the reaction of emotional instability which may come about because of the difficulties mentioned.

In carrying out the principles of the instant invention, spectacles are provided, and these may be with or without lenses, depending upon whether the bowler needs or requires such lenses during the act of bowling. The spectacles themselves are therefore characterized by a somewhat conventional type frame made up of lens rims joined by a conventional nose bridge and provided with hinged temples or side pieces. Added to the rims are two pairs of primary shields, and these are visor-like in construction and are herein referred to as non-transparent blinkers. They are arranged in forwardly and rearwardly projecting pairs and in appropriate alignment. In addition, auxiliary or secondary blinkers or shields are provided on the opposed inward sides of the respective rims and are located at the ends of the nose bridge so that, in effect, they are six blinkers properly arranged to'permit the wearer to properly focus his vision while, at the same time, preventing objectionable side viewing and the re- Hce sultant disconcerting movements of bowlers on adjoining alleys.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more-readily apparent from the following description and the accompanyingsheet of illustrative drawings;

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views: I

Figure 1' is aperspective view :of blinker-equipped spectacles or :goggles :for' use by bowlers;

=Fi'gure .2Zisa top :pl anzview on a slightlyenlarged scale with the rearward end portionsof the temples broken away;

Figure 3 is. 'a: plan vvi-ew,.the purpose of which is to 'show how .the. hingedly. mounted blinkers or shields .may be folded along with the temples .to render the. overall structure,relativelycompactfor easyhandling; and

t .Figure 4- is a sectionzonuthe .line of Figure 2, lookingin-ithedirection ofthe arrows.

Referring :now to the-drawings with theair of reference numerals, the frame is denoted generally by the numeral 6 and is characterized by coplanar rims 8 for lenses 10. It may be stated in this connection that lensesmay be plain glas or prescription lenses if so needed by the bowler; or, it is within the purview of the invention to omit the lenses entirely. The bridge or nose piece which joins the rims is denoted by the numeral 12 and the customary lug-like nose rests integral therewith are denoted at 14. The rims are here provided with forwardly and rearwardly projecting flanges 16 of suitable construction. The temples are denoted 18 and these are hingedly mounted, as usual, at 20. The imperforate and nontransparent blinkers are arranged in forward and rearward pairs, and the blinkers of the rearward set or pair are denoted by the numerals 22 and they are hingedly mounted on the flanges, as at 24, to permit them to fold in the manner shown in Figure 3. The forwardly arranged shields o-r blinkers are denoted by the numerals 26 and they are hingedly mounted at 28 for folding in the manner shown. These blinkers are visor-like in construction and might be construed as substantially semicircular in plan if visualized in flat form. When curved,

they provide the visor-like construction. The marginal edge portions of the blinkers 22 are suitably shaped, of course, to fit against the features of the wearer. The blinkers 22 and 26 to the left are in alignment with each other and with the lens and frame and are likewise arranged at the right. These two pairs of forwardly and rearwardly projecting blinkers are treated as primary blinkers to distinguish from the somewhat smaller and fixedly mounted inwardly disposed forwardly projecting secondary blinkers 30. The latter are fixedly mounted at the ends of the nose bridge and may be said to be diametrically opposite to their adjacent or respective primary blinkers 26. It is within the intended scope of the invention to have the blinkers 30 removable, if desired.

It will be evident, it is believed, that the main purpose and function of the invention in an over-all sense is to cut down and, if possible, substantially eliminate distraction and attending confusion for bowlers operating on adjacent alleys. The visor-like shields may be considered as guards, blinkers, blinders or the like. By hinging the primary blinkers, they may be collapsed or folded so that the over-all device may be carried in ones pocket. The blinkers may also be made out of colorful plastics and appropriately decorated. For those who have .permanent eyeglasses or spectacles, the blinkers will, necessarily have to be made as appropriate attachments therefor. The rear side shields or blinkers cut off movement from the side or rear. The larger and longer front side shields and companion smaller inward shields cut off movement on the alleys on either side of the bowler when approaching or addressing the pins. The bowler wearing these goggles would therefore only have to contend with the bowler on the alleys oneither side of him. He would have freedom of vision in addressing the pins whether heis a spotor pin bowler; The end result would :be that bowling, especially in leagues, would proceed at a fasterrate. 1

The foregoing is considered as illustrativelonlyiof the principles of the invention. modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed. I

F urther,- since numerous jecting pairs of non-transparent visor-like vertically disposed side vision obstructing primary blinkers cooperable with the outward side portions of said rims, a pair of vertical opposed forwardly projecting secondary blinkers also visor-like and non-transparent and smaller than said primary blinkers, said secondary blinkers being fixed to the inward sides of the respective rims, situated diametrically opposite to their respective companion primary side blinkers and located at the respective end portions of said nose bridge, all of said blinkers being imperfnrate, said primary blinkers being hingedly mounted and being thus adapted to fold inwardly toward each other for compactness and convenience in carrying and storing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1',5s3-,79 4 1 Parsons May 11, 1926 1,660,993 Gales Feb. 28, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS 415,212 Germany June 24, 1925 Al-l.- 

